Reading… and Thinking

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
    to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
    to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
    when you see the naked, to clothe him,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

— Isaiah 58:5-7 (NIV)

In the Old Testament, we read about people fasting (that is, not eating for a period of time.) They did so in mourning, or in devotion while they gave themselves to prayer.

In the New Testament, we find that the Jews of Jesus’ day fasted with some regularity. John the Baptist’s disciples also fasted, but Jesus and his disciples did not. Jesus was questioned about this, and he replied that while the bridegroom was with them they couldn’t fast, but the day was coming when he would be taken away, and then they would fast. (Mark 2:18-20)

Based on the examples of faithful people fasting, and the words of Jesus, that after he was gone his disciples would fast, some believers feel that fasting is not just appropriate, but a necessity. It’s certainly true that there is no indication in the New Testament that we shouldn’t fast.

There are, however, some cautions. As this passage in Isaiah indicates, fasting can be a merely external observance. Jesus had harsh words for those who treated it in that way. (For example, Matthew 6:16-18, which is worth taking a look at.) In the passage we’re looking at today, Isaiah goes on to tell us the kind of fast that the Lord desires.

First, we notice that it is intended that we share our food with the hungry. In other words, you give what you would have eaten to someone else who has a greater need.

This fits and makes sense, but there is more. What do we make of “loosing chains of injustice”, “setting the oppressed free”, giving shelter and clothing to the homeless? What does my refraining from eating have to do with these things?

I believe that Isaiah is saying that merely refraining from eating and “bowing one’s head like a reed” doesn’t do much. Self denial is all right, but it isn’t the main point; the Lord is interested in something more. Not too hard to see why — fasting lasts for a brief time, and is frequently preceded and followed by self indulgence.

The fast the Lord wants is to deny ourselves. Instead of buying some nice new clothes for ourselves, give some to someone in need. Instead of getting a nicer house for myself, provide for someone else. For those who are afflicted by poverty, injustice, prejudice, infirmity—do something that will help. You can’t change the world, but you may very well be able to change the life of one person.

This is obviously a much higher standard than skipping a meal or two! And yet in some ways it can make self denial seem less difficult. Let’s face it, none of us likes self denial very much. But if there is a clear and obvious purpose, we may find it easier. When we’re facing that decision, “do I indulge myself or not,” let’s try to bring another question into the picture. “If I don’t indulge myself, what could I do for someone else instead?”